How to put weight on as quick as possible?

[Devilsmommy]

Sorry if this isn't the right place for this but I didn't think the weight loss board was right really. And please don't accuse me of stealth bragging because I'm really not. So I'm 5'7 and weigh 8st10lb. BMI of 19. I wear a size 6 clothing and honestly I hate the way I look. I feel like I look too skinny and I don't think it's a good look at all. When I was younger I was a very healthy size 10 and when I see pics from back then I can see that I just looked so much better overall. Since having my lovely DS 3 years ago I ended up with an overactive thyroid which causes unintentional weight loss and that's when I went from an 8 to a 6. But my thyroid is fine now and though I do eat, and not even eat healthy, I can't seem to put weight on. My appetite since having my son has took a major nosedive and I have to basically force myself to eat because I know if I don't I'll just get even thinner😬 can anyone who's been in a similar situation or knows about this kind of thing please recommend some things I should eat to help with putting on the weight. So as not to drip feed, I'm a very heavy smoker and drink a shed load of tea/coffee a day and definitely do not exercise 😅 TIA for any help at all😊

Oh you don’t eat dairy… balls.

Well dried apricots are a dietary source of calcium. I’d focus on nuts and nut butters then.

And of course you should quit smoking. I know it’s hard I’ve done it myself but it’s perfectly possible.

If you really care about your health you will stop smoking and cut down on caffeine.

But in the meantime...

Oatly Barista is a high calorie alternative to cow's milk. There are loads of plant-based alternatives to dairy now. You can get vegan yoghurt, cream, ice cream etc.

Do you like tofu? That's high in calcium.

Eat plenty of healthy fats like avocado, olive oil, nuts.

For breakfast, try oat porridge made with oatly barista (not water) - whenever I have porridge for breakfast I always feel really hungry a couple of hours later, for some reason.

You should focus on nutrition and not just calories, otherwise you'll just be adding to all the health problems you already have.

You might find it helpful to get advice from a dietician but I'm not sure you'd get it on the NHS, given that you're not clinically underweight - you might need to argue for it based on the dairy allergy and blood test results.

Thank you for this, there are some good ideas there. Appreciate it 😊

Your reasoning that fags and coffee are ‘lifestyle choices’ is actually a flawed excuse. Your body is telling you that what you are putting in is making you unwell (beta blockers, blood results, poor nutrition, insomnia etc). You are justifying harmful actions and deep down you know it! I urge you to get on a smoking cessation programme where they can help you with the disordered thought processes you seem to have at the moment. They will understand what you are going through. If you can get over this hump you will feel and look much healthier and sleep better.

Look I'm going to be completely honest with you. I could easily cut down on my caffeine intake. That wouldn't be a problem. However I know for a fact I won't completely quit smoking. As I say, I've cut down in comparison to what I used to smoke before I had my DS, but I don't want to quit. I know mn views all smokers as terrible people but that's their opinion and they're entitled to it. I enjoy my cigarettes and I don't plan on quitting. It's not like I'm taking drugs or drinking alcohol all day. Thank you for your advice to me, I appreciate that you haven't done it in a nasty way.

@Devilsmommy What brands of decaffeinated tea and coffee are you drinking?

DH has recently had heart surgery and is now on beta blockers. He really, really loves coffee and has enjoyed trying different brands of decaffeinated coffee. He uses ground coffee, coffee beans (which he grinds himself) and coffee bags depending on how much time he has. He never drinks instant coffee.

IMO the best coffee bags are the Taylors ones - both caffeinated and decaffeinated. DH also likes the Co-op decaffeinated coffee and a brand that I bought at a food festival called Arctic North. For decaff tea we drink Yorkshire Tea. None of the drinks I have listed have a metallic aftertaste, although if you are on Bisoprolol it can affect your sense of taste.

Beta blockers and caffeine are really not a good mix, as I'm sure your GP will have told you, because caffeine can counteract the medication's effects by increasing blood pressure and heart rate, while also making the medication less effective and shorter-acting.

You've a lot of risk factors for osteoporosis and I would suggest researching what you can do now to limit the chance of getting it.

In addition to the diet advice here, I would strongly recommend lifting heavy weights. If you look too thin that means you don’t have much fat but you also probably don’t have much muscle. You can bulk up by lifting weights- muscle looks good. But you’d need to be eating enough calories first.

I've tried so many different brands of both decaff coffee and tea and they all leave that horrible taste. Maybe I could give the actual coffee beans a try and hope they are different. I'm on propanolol so I don't know if that affects taste. Thanks for the recommendations, I'll give them a try 😊

Though I don't do any proper exercise, I do do a lot of walking as I've got a very active toddler so actually my leg muscles are amazing 😅 my arms aren't too bad and that's because of the constant heavy lifting of my toddler 😂 people seem to assume I'm sat on my arse drinking coffee and smoking fags and therefore completely unfit. I'm actually not. I'm quite toned considering, it's just I'm not happy to be so skinny with it. I appreciate that I really should do some proper exercise though. Thanks for the tips😊

Yes, mackerel would be a good sub for sardines

@Devilsmommy "It's not like I'm taking drugs or drinking alcohol all day."

But you are. Nicotine gives the user a very similar effect to that of opioids and alcohol causing the release of dopamine in the brain. It is also very addictive.

The bloating and stomach pains will be the result of 30 cups of coffee and a ton of fucking fags!!!!

Did they check your liver and kidneys when you had those blood results? I really would go back to a different gp and ask for some investigation for the blood results.

Have you tried vaping? DH managed to quit smoking and now vaping by switching to vaping. He slowly tapered the amounts in the vape until it was zero and then just managed to stop. He did try champix with the nhs cessation service and that worked in the past but he found the vaping more successful overall.

As for the coffee, could you do similar, half a teaspoon of caffeine and decaffeinated or similar and slowly tip towards the decaffeinated? He found the azera decaf really ok and has managed to swap over some of his coffees entirely.

No, because I've had that since I was a child

To be honest I really can't be doing with vaping. As I've said, I like my cigarettes. I guess I could try the half normal half decaff and see if that works. Worth a shot. Thanks 😊

@FurForksSake sorry forgot to answer your question. No they didn't check liver and kidneys. To be honest my GP surgery are pretty useless but you think it's worth having more bloods done and asking for a check of liver and kidneys?

I’d ask them to repeat your bloods and if things are still off then to check your liver and kidneys. Also discuss the bloating and pains with them, they should be looking at it all holistically.

You have every right to smoke if you choose to, but it will be shortening your life and putting you at risk of diseases. Remember what you are enjoying and try and think about what you might gain from quitting and not what you might lose. Just something to ponder over time, one thing at a time.

Thanks so much for not condescending to me and for your brilliant advice. Will definitely book in for blood tests asap

I’d try eat small but more often and I’d also start weight training , doesn’t have to be heavy, but it will boost your appetite and build your body up abit, so that you don’t look so skinny.

I’d also try alternating with a vape to smoking a cigarette, just to try and help
cut back abit and less tea/ coffee as they can suppress your appetite too, best of luck.

All those people criticising her desire to put on weight. Would you be doing that if she was overweight and trying to lose or just accept that as a choice?

I've been there OP. Size 6-8 not able to have lots of dairy or other things (somewhat resolved, but still partially there intolerance).

I spent the first 25-30 years as a 6-8 dress size at 5"2 despite eating lots. Then more recently overweight as a size 12 and trying to lose it!

Given a choice I would pick overweight every time - obviously the elusive just right would be better!

Totally get it OP at my skinny size I was easily cold, hated clothes shopping (more expensive and lack of availability). I felt unconfident and unsure of myself. Objectified and leered at by old men. Overweight I feel more confident and happier - just as my Drs told me I would if I was able to put on weight. I'm now trying to lose weight, but to a size 10, not a 6.

Beware of the coffee though I found it to be an appetite suppressant. And in large quantities it triggered my intolerances.

Thank you so much for this. Finally someone who understands. You were a size 6 at 5'2, imagine how much worse it looks on a 5'7 frame. If I'd came on asking about losing weight, you're right, I'd have been applauded. Apparently not wanting to be skinny is a moral failing 😂

Avocado, peanut butter, nuts, seeds... add non-dairy creamer to coffee or buy powdered oat milk to stir into hot drinks

https://mightydrinks.com/products/oat-m-lk-powder

Ooh thank you for this. Looks good 😊